ecret which she must keep
from the monarch, for the sake of her uncle's honour, her situation
was as distressing as that of Shaseliman. There was at the Court of
Bensirak an old slave of Selimansha, who had accompanied the Queen
into Egypt, and who since that time had remained in her service. He
had all her confidence, and was frequently the depository of the
uneasiness of this tender mother. One day she perceived him alone, and
made him a signal to approach her.

"Well," said she to him, "you know my attachment for my son; you know
my fears on his account, and you have taken no step in order to know
what has become of him."

"Queen!" replied the slave, "that which you wish to know is extremely
difficult, and I know no means by which I could get information of it.
You know that you have yourself confirmed the report of his death,
which was attested by Selimansha; and although by chance your son
should appear here, how could you destroy the public opinion? How
could you make him known?"

"Ah! would to God that my son were here, although I should even be
deprived of the pleasure of seeing him. To know that he was still
alive would be sufficient to confirm my repose and happiness."

"Queen," replied the slave, "I am willing to sacrifice my life for
you: what do you require of me?"

"Take from my treasures," said the Queen, "the sum which you judge
necessary for your journey: go to Persia and bring my son."

"Money alone is less necessary here than prudence. Some plausible
reason must be given for the journey which your Majesty proposes to
me. You know that the Sultan honours me with his bounty, and that,
engaged in his service, I cannot remove from his Court without his
express permission. You yourself must ask and obtain it under some
specious pretence, which may prevent him from entertaining any
suspicion, and at the same time secure the success of your
application. Tell him that during the disturbances which preceded the
death of your husband you concealed, in a place known only to me, a
casket of precious jewels, which you were anxious to put beyond the
reach of accident. Beseech his Majesty to grant you permission to send
me into Persia in search of this treasure. The care of the rest
belongs to me."

The Queen, convinced of her slave's attachment, and approving his
counsels, flew instantly to put them in execution, and found no
difficulty in obtaining her desire.

The faithful emissary speedily departed, d